Easton (Pennsylvania)

In 1736, Thomas Penn (William Penn's son) surveyed the area and Easton was officially born in 1752. Prior to that, Easton had been known as "Lechawitauk", meaning "The Place at the Forks." On July 8, 1776 the Declaration of Independence was read in Easton's Centre Square, one of three public readings of the document. Every year, Easton celebrates this historic event with its Heritage Day celebration, held in July.
Easton became a primary commercial location during the canals and railroads era of the 1800s. The Delaware, Morris and Lehigh canals were vital for transportation of goods. The railroads replaced the canals for transportation and five railroads served Easton. The city had a strong German heritage. During Prohibition, it was known for nightlife and had plenty of liquor and a large number of brothels.
The population in Easton continues to diversify. Between the 1990 and 2000 censuses, the Hispanic and Black populations increased significantly. However, the primiary ethnicity in the city remains White/non-Hispanic.

Geography

Easton sits at the confluence of the Delaware and Lehigh rivers; Native Americans originally called Easton Lechawitau, "the place at the Forks".

Climate

Easton has a highly variable four-season temperate climate.
Summertime highs average in the low 80s F, but with occasional short heat waves with temps over 95 F, with considerable humidity and occasionally intense thunderstorms.
Winters are somewhat cold with average highs in the mid to upper 30s F, but with occasional short thaws when temperatures can suddenly rise over 65 F for a few days. Severe cold snaps are common, with highs dropping into the twenties. Heavy snowfalls rarely occur more than once or twice each winter, but a wintry mix of ice, sleet, and light snow is possible from mid-November through early April. The combination of above freezing daytime temps and below freezing nights makes black ice a constant wintertime driving hazard even when there has not been precipitation recently.
Late spring and early summer (from mid-April to late June), and autumn are the most pleasant times of the year, with very mild temperatures and generally low humidity. Autumn leaf season usually arrives in the last two weeks of October.

Tourist Information

• Lehigh Valley Visitor Center - Easton, 30 Centre Square, 484-546-0594. Hours: 9AM - 5PM Tuesday - Saturday, 9:30AM - 2:30PM Sunday, closed Monday.
• Discover Lehigh Valley (Formerly Lehigh Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau).

By plane

The primary and most convenient point of airline entry to Easton and Lehigh Valley is Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE), which is less than 15 minutes away from most parts of the city. Various airlines operate out of this airport. Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) is a major international airport that is about 70 miles away. Since it is a hub for several national airlines, it's easy to obtain non-stop flights to Philadelphia International compared to ABE and usually cheaper.

By car

• US Highway 22 is a main thoroughfare, being a 4-lane limited-access highway with a speed limit of 55 miles per hour through all of Lehigh Valley except in Easton.
• Drivers coming from points east will want to note that all of the major bridges across the Delaware River (from New Jersey) are free eastbound, but require tolls westbound. Locating the free bridge in Phillipsburg is possible but not recommended to those unfamiliar with the area. It is called Northampton Street for the adventurous and adds only about half a mile to the trip (unless yu easily get lost).
• From the southeast and northwest, PA Route 309 provides fairly quick access and is a good road to travel.
• Interstate 78 and Interstate 476 (PA Turnpike; tolled) intersect very close to the city of Easton, going in all directions north, south, east, and west.
• PA Route 33 is the best approach for travelers from I-80 in the Poconos and points east.

By bus

• Trans-Bridge bus line offers daily service to and from New York City and Newark, New Jersey.

By bus

Extensive bus services are provided by Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority (LANTA).

By cab

Several cab companies also operate throughout Easton and Lehigh Valley. These are:

• Easton Taxi, +1 610-258-2888.
• Lehigh Valley Taxi, +1 610-867-6000.
• Quick Service Taxi, +1 610-434-8132.

By limo

• J&J Luxury Transportation, +1 610-776-1516 or +1-800-726-5466
• Elite Limosuine & Coach
• Champagne Limousine
• ABE Limousine
• Adamo Limo
• Car One Limousine

• The Crayola Factory

  phone: +1 610-515-8000
  address: 18 Centre Square
  Fun, indoor theme park type place, where kids can enjoy lots of activities and learn how real crayola crayons, markers, and colored pencils are made. It's NOT the actual Crayola factory, but you can see how they make Crayola crayons and other Crayola products. Very kid friendly. Has its dedicated store. There is a municipal parking garage, behind the facility between Pine St. and Ferry St. for a fee of around $2 per hour. There is also on street meter parking for $1 per hour, with a 2 hour limit.

• Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor

  phone: +1 610-923-3548
  address: 2750 Hugh Moore Park Rd
  Outdoor activities, hiking areas, arts events, historical sites all along the Delaware and Lehigh rivers.
• Home to one of the oldest rivalries in American high school football history, the border warthe Easton vs. Phillipsburg high school football game--is held each Thanksgiving Day and routinely draws in excess of 15,000 spectators. Easton High School is also known for their often nationally-ranked wrestling team.

• Moyer Aviation

  phone: +1 610-258-0473
  address: Braden Airpark, 3800 Sullivan Trail
  Private plane tours.

• National Canal Museum

  phone: +1 610-559-6613
  address: 30 Centre Square
  The only museum in the country dedicated to telling the story of America’s historic towpath canals. Features four galleries filled with hands-on exhibits that educate and entertain parents and children alike. Mule-drawn canal boat rides available.

• Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society

  address: 101-107 S 4th St.

• The State Theatre Center for the Arts

  phone: +1 610-252-3132
  address: 453 Northampton St.
  Located in the downtown Easton, it is home to many traveling artists, ballet groups, broadway shows, national music and comedy acts, and more. Most famous for the Freddy Awards, an Emmy award-winning awards show put on by local high schools for drama productions during the school year; named for the famous ghost who resides in the State Theater, Freddy, the first owner of the theater.

• Sigal Museum

  phone: +1 610-253-1222
  address: 342 Northampton Street
  Museum of local history, including pre-colonial artifacts and colonial furniture.

For more things to do in the area, check out the Allentown or Bethlehem (Pennsylvania) pages.

• The Club at Morgan Hill18-hole public golf course. Named 2009's "Best Places to Play in North America" by Golf Digest. Full-service clubhouse.

• Riverview Country ClubPlayer-friendly layout, panoramic views. Two miles north of PA-22 on PA-611.

• Skiing. This is a popular activity in nearby mountains. Most skiing areas are closed seasonally, since snow can usually only be manufactured from about November to April. Bear Creek Mountain Resort and Blue Mountain Ski Area are a short drive away in Macungie and Palmerton, respectively. Larger, world-famous ski resorts, including Jack Frost & Big Boulder, are in the Poconos, about 1 hour drive north on Interstate 476.

Easton is home to Lafayette College, which was founded in 1826.

• Easton Farmers' Market

  phone: +1 610-330-9942
  address: Centre Square
  The oldest continuous open-air farmers' market in the country occupies all of Easton's Centre Square, and has over 30 vendors, offering fresh produce, baked goods, meats, cheeses, wine, crafts, sweets, and even pet food.

• Palmer Park Mall

  phone: +1 610-258-6017
  address: 123 Palmer Park Mall
  It is the premier shopping site for the Easton, Glendon, Palmer, Forks Township and Wilson communities. It features 50+ unique stores and weekly events dedicated to arts and crafts, collectibles, and different artists.

• Partyology

  address: 230 Northampton St
  Cool, eclectic gifts and party supplies.

• Angelo's Restaurant

  address: 14 N 4th St

• Colonial Pizza & Spaghetti

  address: 136 Spring Garden St

• deLorenzo's

  address: 1210 Knox Ave

• Don Juan Mexican Grill

  address: 518 March Street
  An independently run fast food burrito and taco joint right next to Lafayette College. Open late on the weekends.

• Gino's Pizza

  address: 349 Northampton St
  Good pizza and cheesesteaks, friendly service.

• Green Harvest Food Emporium

  address: 140-B Northampton St

• Joe's Market Deli

  address: 235 Northampton St

• Josie's New York Deli

  address: 14 Centre Square

• Larry Holmes' Ringside Restaurant & Lounge

  address: 91 Larry Holmes Dr

• Marblehead Grille & Chowder House

  address: 4101 William Penn Highway

• MeGs and MaDs Casual Dining

  address: 325 Cattell Street
  BYOB.

• Mex-Tex Trio

  address: 42 S 3rd St

• Morici's Pizza and Sub Shop

  address: 218 Cattell Street
  Cozy pizza place with comfortable indoor dining available. The subs and pizza are excellent for takeout, but they offer many Italian pasta dishes as well.

• Ocean

  address: 235 Ferry St
  Upscale modern tapas restaurant. Reservations recommended.

• Pearly Baker's Ale House

  address: 11 Centre Square

• Phenom

  address: 159-161 Northampton St
  Tasty, reasonably priced thai cuisine. The lunch special is the best deal.

• Pizza D'Oro Italian Restaurant

  address: 208 Cattell Street

• Porter's Pub

  phone: +1 610-250-6561
  address: 700 Northampton St
  This quaint local Irish pub offers a wide selection of local craft beers and a seasonal selection of handmade mixed drinks. They boast a menu full of delicious meals as well as pub fare made from scratch in-house and often from local ingredients. They serve a creative selection of options, including vegan and vegetarian choices. There is often live music on weekends.

• River Grille

  address: 243 Northampton St

• Sette Luna

  address: 219 Ferry St
  Delicious upscale Italian food in a warm atmosphere. Amazing pizza.

• Sogo Fusion

  address: 237 Northampton St

• Steve's Pizzeria

  address: 1005 S Greenwood Ave directions=

• 3rd & Ferry Restaurant and Bar

  address: 56 S 3rd St

• Third Street Café

  address: 117 N 3rd St

• Tic Toc Family Restaurant

  address: 2510 Northampton St
  A diner that attracts mostly local regulars.

• Vintage Restaurant & Bar

  address: 100 Cluhouse Drive (located at The Club at Morgan Hill)

• Touch of Thai

  address: 123 N 2nd St Apt 110

• Two Rivers Brewing Company

  phone: +1 610 829-1131
  address: 542 Northampton St. 18042
  Two Rivers boasts an intricately creative farm-to-table menu for lunch and dinner. They recently began brewing their own craft beers and also offer a range of specialty mixed drinks.

There are also many chain restaurants around the area.

• Black and Blue

  phone: +1 610 438-3604
  address: 683 Walnut St.
  Black and Blue offers a dimly-lit, eccentric atmosphere with a fantastic craft beer selection and a unique menu with vegan and vegetarian choices.

• College Hill Tavern

  address: 420 Cattell St.
  The preferred hangout of Lafayette students, it can change dramatically depending on the night. When college is not in session, this becomes a chilled out spot, but when it is, it can be loud music and a noisy college atmosphere. Non-smoking.

• Eddie G's

  address: 1 Lehns Ct (Centre Square)
  Definitely a dive bar, and can attract an interesting crowd. Friendly service, smoking permitted indoors.

• Fat Jacks'

  address: 2722 Freemansburg Ave.

• Lafayette Bar

  address: 15 N 4th St/
  Original home of Jazz in Easton.

• Leaf Cigar Bar and Restaurant

  address: 90 Mort Drive
  5-star cuisine, prepared from scratch. The finest spirits, wine, and craft beers. Over 2,000 square feet of cigars. Smoke-friendly indoor and outdoor seating. State-of-the-art ventilation.

• Milo's Place

  address: 217 Cattell St.
  Average bar, smoking permitted inside.

• Mothers Bar & Grill

  address: 3 Lehns Ct (Centre Square)
  Typical bar scene, with quoits in the back.

• Pearly Baker's Alehouse

  address: 11 Centre Square
  Good selection of beers on tap, with a more sophisticated atmosphere. Excellent food.

• Porters Pub

  address: 700 Northampton Street
  Friendly pub atmosphere, with a great beer selection and frequent live music.

• The Grand Eastonian Suites Hotel

  phone: +1 610-258-6350
  address: 140 Northampton St

• Hampton Inn

  phone: +1 610 250-6500
  address: 3723 Easton-Nazareth Hwy.

• Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites

  phone: +1 610 923-9495
  address: 90 Kunkle Dr.
  Located right off of 22, the Holiday Inn Express features continental breakfast and free internet.

• The Lafayette Inn

  phone: +1 610 253-4500
  address: 525 W Monroe St
  The Lafayette Inn, near Lafayette College, is a beautiful bed and breakfast. On the pricier side, it provides its guests with a spa, balconies and other special amenities. All of the eighteen custom decorated rooms feature antique furnishings and private baths. A variety of bed sizes is available. All of the rooms have a desk, armoire or closet, TV with DVD, alarm clock, hair dryer, and telephone with data port.

• TownPlace Suites Bethlehem Easton

  address: 3800 Easton Nazareth Highway

• Quality Inn

  phone: +1 610 253-0546
  address: 2415 Nazareth Rd., Rt. 22 Ex. 25th Street

• Allentown, home of Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom - 17 miles
• Bethlehem, home of the Sands Casino Resort - 9 miles
• Bangor (Pennsylvania) - 15 miles
• Emmaus - 22 miles
• Fogelsville - 25 miles
• Hellertown - 12 miles
• Nazareth (Pennsylvania) - 7 miles
• Whitehall - 16 miles

Other regions

• New York City - 70 miles
• Philadelphia - 72 miles
• Harrisburg - 97 miles
• Atlantic City - 133 miles